Bulls to Host Cincinnati Tuesday

TAMPA (Jan. 20, 2014) – A hot Bulls team returns home to the Sun Dome Tuesday night in search of their fifth win in the last six games. USF hosts Cincinnati with the chance to break its tie for third place in the conference standings as the Bulls and Bearcats face off in a mid-week battle on the American Digital Network.

USF comes fresh off a 63-38 win at UCF, getting 18 points from sophomore guard and conference honor roll member Courtney Williams. Senior Inga Orekhova poured in 11 points in the win, collecting her sixth double-digit scoring effort of the season and hitting the 800-point mark in her career. USF is 5-1 this season when Orekhova scores at least 10 points, and 4-0 in conference play.

Series Info

Cincinnati holds a 14-9 edge in the All-Time Series between these two teams, but USF has been the better team of late. The Bulls have won five of the last seven contests, including a 77-44 win at the Sun Dome last season, and a 58-55 win in Cincinnati during the 2011-12 campaign.

Get to Know Cincinnati

The Bearcats picked up their first conference win Jan. 11 at Houston, but have lost the other five contests by double-digit scores. Cincinnati played well against Ohio State early in the year, knocking off the Buckeyes at home, getting a double-double from senior forward Jeanise Randolph in the form of 15 points and 11 rebounds. Randolph averages 12 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for Cincy, while redshirt senior guard Dayeesha Hollins adds 13.3 points per game.

Noteables:

» After starting the first five games of the season with the same lineup, the Bulls have trotted out a total of six different starting lineups in their first 17 games of the season, using 10 different players.
» Of USF’s eight losses, six have been by single digits, including the opening day loss to No. 6/8 Maryland and an 8-point loss to No. 5/5 Louisville. The Bulls are 1-6 in games decided by less than 10 points.
» Alisia Jenkins is averaging a double-double (10.1 ppg , 10.8 rpg) this season, and has a team-high eight double-doubles. She also leads the conference in rebounding.
» Courtney Williams notched her third double-double of the season against College of Charleston, scoring a team-high 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The 5-8 guard leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.8 points per game.
» Senior Akila McDonald picked up her first double-double of the season against SMU, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 boards. McDonald has started all but three games for the Bulls this season.
» USF is now 16-2 lifetime when McDonald has eight or more rebounds (6-1 this season, 6-0 in 2012-13)
» USF is 4-0 in conference play when Inga Orekhova scores at least 10 points. The Bulls are 5-1 this year when she hits 10+
» The Bulls have yet to lose a game this year when scoring more than 70 points. USF is 2-8 when scoring 70 points or less.
» Senior guard Inga Orekhova underwent successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus in her left knee Monday, Dec. 2. Orekhova began rehab immediately following surgery, and was lightly jogging three days later. Original expected return for Orekhova was 4-6 weeks, but Orekhova did not experience any swelling, and returned to the Bulls’ starting lineup Dec. 15 against Oklahoma State.

A Look Ahead

USF travels to take on Connecticut Sunday, Jan. 26 before returning home to face Houston Wednesday, Jan. 29. Purchase tickets for that game.

As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for the NFL Draft, they make preparations to bring in former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, his visit will be focused on the owners. Jame